Top 10 Causes Of Hair Loss & How To Stop Them

Whether we want to admit it or not, going bald is something we start to worry about when we reach a certain age. For some, it may seem like something that’s inevitable, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are a plethora of reasons why we may start to lose our hair, and for most of us, there are things that can be done to prevent it. The trick is knowing what causes hair loss, what can be done about it, and acting on it before it’s too late. Here are 10 of the more common causes so you can stop it in its tracks.

Doing the wrong kind of exercise. It’s important to exercise regularly and stay healthy, but going too hard can be bad for your hair. There’s evidence that doing too much weight lifting or high-resistance training can start producing a chemical called DHT that can contribute to baldness. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t maintain a regular exercise routine, just try not to work too hard at the gym or your body will start to betray you (at least as far as your hair is concerned).

Hair trauma. This one is actually on you. Hairstyles like braids, cornrows, ponytails, and man buns can put your hair through too much stress and trauma, ultimately damaging your scalp and causing hair loss. Fortunately, the fix for this is easy. Make sure you use a high-quality shampoo and pay attention to proper scalp maintenance. It will also help to avoid these kinds of hairstyles. Let’s face it, if you have a man bun, odds are you deserve to go bald.

Poor diet. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a bad diet can be a contributing factor in baldness. A diet that lacks protein, Vitamin B, and other important nutrients can lead to damaged hair follicles and bring about baldness. Your hair can also suffer if you don’t consume enough calories, for instance, if you’re trying to lose weight. The fix is maintaining a balanced diet, which will be good for your overall health, and perhaps more importantly, the health of your hair.

Disease. There are a number of diseases that may specifically target your skin or scalp. Two common examples are psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis, both of which can damage your hair follicles and lead to hair loss. There are other autoimmune diseases like alopecia that are associated with hair loss. People with thyroid problems may also experience hair loss, among other problems. For some conditions, there are special shampoos that can be prescribed to help you manage the disease. Other times, it’s not quite so simple. Of course, your best bet is to see a doctor if you suspect something is amiss with your health.

Medication. On the other side of the coin, certain medications can cause hair loss. Chemotherapy for cancer treatment is a common example, and obviously, there’s nothing you can do about that. However, blood thinners, beta blockers, and medications for high cholesterol or conditions like epilepsy can all create scalp or follicle problems that could contribute to baldness. As usual, your best bet is to speak with a doctor about possible side effects of medications and what can be done to ease those side effects.

Lack of sleep. If you’re worried about going bald, one thing you can do is make sure you get a good night’s sleep. Erratic sleep patterns can sometimes have a negative impact on the growth cycles of hair follicles. That means your hair won’t grow in as it should, leading to bald spots or worse. Most men should be sleeping at least seven hours every night. If you’re not doing that, don’t be surprised if your hair starts to thin.

Smoking. This is another cause of baldness that’s entirely your fault. Obviously, you don’t need me to tell you that smoking can wreak all kinds of havoc on your body. One thing that smoking can do is cause damage to your skin cells, including hair follicles. Of course, if you don’t smoke, this is one possible cause of baldness that you don’t have to worry about.

Stress. It shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that stress has been linked to hair loss. When the body and mind are stressed, shedding is one possible side effect. It’s possible for stress to cause you to literally pull your hair out. It can also prevent hair from growing back, making your hair loss all the more obvious. If you have a stressful job or problems in your personal life, you need to have a way of relieving that stress. Seeing a therapist may not be such a bad idea. If stress is a huge problem in your life, losing your hair may be the least of your problems.

Age. For almost all of us, hair loss can happen naturally with age. At a certain point, it may be best to just embrace it and steer into the skid. Of course, for other people, hair transplants, products like Rogaine and even the dreaded toupe are all possible options.

Genetics. Much like age, genetics can also play a huge role in whether or not you may go bald. I know from experience that the baldness gene skips a generation. If your grandfather on your mother’s side has lost his hair, it may be your genetic destiny to lose it as well. Fortunately, if you know it’s coming, there may be some preventative measures you can explore to stop it before it becomes noticeable. As always, it’s best to consult with your doctor about your options if you want to put up a fight against baldness.